he had done. So Tom
stands with his oxen on the road, scratching his head and not knowing
what to do. At length there comes a man along the road, making towards
Brecon, to whom Tom says: 'Honest man, I want these two oxen to be driven
to such and such a public-house two miles beyond Brecon; I would drive
them myself only I have business to do elsewhere of more importance. Now
if you will drive them for me there and wait till I come, which will not
be long, I will give you a groat.' Says the man; 'I will drive them
there for nothing, for as my way lies past that same public-house I can
easily afford to do so.' So Tom leaves the oxen with the man, and by
rough and roundabout road makes for the public-house--beyond Brecon,
where he finds the man waiting with the oxen, who hands them over to him
and goes on his way. Now, in the man brought up before him and the other
big wigs on the bench for stealing the bullock, Tom does recognise the
man who had done him that same good turn. Well! the evidence was heard
against the man, and it soon appeared quite clear that the man did really
steal the bullock. Says the other big wigs to Tom: 'The fact has been
proved quite clear. What have we now to do but to adshudge at once that
the domm'd thief be hung?' But Tom, who remembered that the man had once
done him one good turn, had made up his mind to save the man. So says he
to the other big wigs: 'My very worthy esteemed friends and coadshutors,
I do perfectly agree with you that the fact has been proved clear enough,
but with respect to de man, I should be very much grieved should he be
hung for this one fact, for I did know him long time ago, and did find
him to be one domm'd honest man in one transaction which I had with him.
So my wordy and esteemed friends and coadshutors I should esteem it one
great favour if you would adshudge that the man should be let off this
one time. If, however, you deem it inexpedient to let the man off, then
of course the man must be hung, for I shall not presume to set my
opinions and judgments against your opinions and judgments, which are far
better than my own.' Then the other big wigs did look very big and
solemn, and did shake their heads and did whisper to one another that
they were afraid the matter could not be done. At last, however, they
did come to the conclusion that as Tom had said that he had known the
fellow once to be one domm'd honest man, and as they had a great regard
for T